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This is my favorite view off Turk Hill Road, relaxing next to my sweet grand-puppy German shepherd, Zara.  It's breezy, it's sunny, and Zara should be resting peacefully in the warm glow of my calming presence. But no. The queen would rather chase sticks and balls and chew bark and patrol her yard and keep track of her humans.  There will be no rest. Still, it's a beautiful view.  Canon 5D III Sigma 24-105mm F4 Art, 1/160 at f/22 ISO 250

I ran across these photos of a wonderful morning I spent a) getting up too early; b) watching people who were passionate about golfing;and c) finding out why they love it so much.  I never swung a club, but I did learn why they get up early and savor each moment. My apologies to all the golfers I have dismissed over the years. I get it. Golf on.

One of the things my daughter and son-in-law are really fussy about is not posting images of their first baby online... so here's a way I obeyed the letter (and intent) of the law, but still recorded a stroller ride we enjoyed together one afternoon. Photo was processed "Orton" style. Walk was enjoyed "Whitney and Mimi" style.

One of the greatest joys in my life these days is the chance I have to spend time with my sweet girl — my granddaughter — Whitney. One afternoon this spring we took a stroller ride along the lake shore, just before it came back to life for the summer. It was a memory I'll never forget, and one she was too young to remember. No matter — there were smiles, fresh air, she tried to "eat" the breeze as it blew by, and I'm quite sure I sang a few songs as we walked. Yes, I am rich. One day I hope she thinks so too.  

Here are a couple of grunge frames I was experimenting with in photoshop.  One single brush and a couple of layer masks are all I used...

I recently had a chance to photograph a golf tournament held in the area. Yes, I did eventually capture the actual game, to some degree.  But before that I enjoyed a front row seat at a breathtaking sunrise.  Who KNEW?  I'm a late sleeper and only get to see the sun high overhead or setting in the west... I took this shot before I even arrived at the course.  I'm not a golfer, but I DO love golfing.  

I know for sure this photo does not capture the moment.  I took this one last fall.  The color was so brilliant just before sunset I thought for sure the whole landscape would burst into flames before my eyes.

This is one of my favorite old trees in the cemetery near where I live.  I like it because it's interesting and beautiful... and it's older than I am.

Done to death by some - but it's my first time, So I'm good with learning a new thing!  If this tutorial doesn't light your fire, google "orton effect" and the whole world is lined up just waiting to show you how to do it... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BLQfva4kWbY&feature=player_embedded# And how's this for irony: I spent the whole day trying to get great depth of field in focus, only to come back to my computer and throw a gaussian blur over everything... nice.  Top image is with Orton effect, bottom is the orginal image.  Call me crazy - they don't look that different... Could be better with a close up?

Well of COURSE it was a wonderful day for fall colors... I got to enjoy some of it with one of my two favorite daughters... take a look! Unless you have been to this particular corner of heaven it's hard to appreciate fully.  But I've been there, and hope to return again.  Honestly - this IS where they keep all the fresh air... Did my daughter enjoy the outing as much as I did?  Perhaps not QUITE as much - there was no internet connection here...

Sunrise on the pier, chilly, damp, no coffee, but so much fun! Next time I stop at Starbucks first and bring some fingerless gloves...  

I am NOT a "landscape" person.  If given a choice I would rather shoot a hundred tight, clean, surprising close ups than one sunset, skyline, mountain range or... you get the picture.  I'm just not that good at it.  Still, in the name of getting to know my camera better, I shot this sunset on Keuka Lake a couple days ago at every possible setting. Inside of 8-10 minutes I shot about 50 images... all equally "average." Here are a couple of unremarkable shots, just to prove why I should leave landscapes to others. Here's what happened when I turned the camera away from the sunset and onto the "sunshine" sitting right beside me...